Satsangs

Satsang is a compound Sanskrit word that means “keeping the company of the Self.” The Self, Awareness, is the true nature of everyone and one keeps company with it by continually meditating on it in many ways. One of the most effective methods involves discussing non-dual teachings with someone who has realized his or her identity as the Self, to get clarity with reference to Self inquiry. The satsangs posted here are the questions of many people around the world who are interested in enlightenment and find that Vedanta is their preferred means of Self knowledge. Since I am a teacher of Vedanta, a time tested means of self inquiry, I am qualified to reply to these questions.~James Swartz

ShiningWorld Reader

Q: I hear
teachers say that the Self is non-dual, free and empty and that objects are not
real. My question is: why would I want to realize the Self if there is
“nothing” there to be experienced?

A: First
of all, the essential nature of awareness is permanence, fulness - the ever
changeless present, self-conscious, limitless existence, which, by the way, is
not “empty”, but “full” full of “Itself”. All objects are not-real in the
sense that they did not exist in the past and they will not exist in a future
time. They come and go. They are at the most “apparently real”, whereas
awareness is ever-present and therefore the only “real” factor in existence.

Furthermore,
only “something” full, limitless, whole and complete can accommodate all
apparent objects of the universe without being modified, expanded… without
becoming bigger or smaller or having its existence compromised. If the self was
indeed of the nature of emptiness, it would modify with the appearance of objects…
it would be ‘no-more’ empty because of the occupancy of all objects filling it.

With the
appearance of the world taking up some of its empty existence, the self would
lose its supposed “empty” status by developing the status of “occupied”. The
only way to support such notion is by denying the existence of the universe.
But since the universe can be experienced, how can we deny it? And furthermore,
why to propagate such teachings and all codes of conduct that goes with it, if
nothing exists?

But I
understand your confusion because some schools of thought propagate the idea
that the Self is of the nature of emptiness, nothingness, the void etc. They
attach negative notions to It. That’s why some people, once influenced by these
strange ideas, will try very hard to remove the world of thoughts and objects
from their mind. They will make much effort to keep their conscious mind empty,
imagining that by doing so they will reach the “empty” Self.

But the
Vedanta scriptures clearly assert that the Self is of the nature of fullness
and limitlessness, regardless of the presence or absence of the world of
apparent objects. Thoughts and objects do not alter, diminish or expand the
self because the self is always ever whole. It pervades and sustains all past,
present and future universes without altering its essential nature as wholeness
and limitlessness. BTW, I am talking about You and me, the only self, there is.

Contacting Shining World

For years I have happily and diligently responded to communications on the topic of Self realization. Since the publication of my book, “How to Attain Enlightenment”— currently in its third printing —and the success of this website, the volume of emails has increased considerably. Unfortunately, owing to a busy schedule of teaching and writing, I am no longer able to answer all the emails I receive in a timely fashion. However, my wife, who is also a teacher, and several well-qualified teachers we have endorsed are available to answer emails on my behalf. I encourage you to send them your questions.
— James SwartzContact Us